Television

Network's Fall TV Shows Embrace Diverse Casts

7:57am May 15, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The TV industry was in New York to present its new lineup to advertisers. We examine whether the networks have doubled down on diversity after the success of shows like Empire and Jane the Virgin.

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Economy

TV Networks Count On Reborn Old Shows To Bring In Ad Dollars

10:13pm May 14, 2015

Network officials are gathered in New York this week to present their new fall lineups to advertisers. Renee Montagne talks to Kim Masters, of The Hollywood Reporter and host of KCRW's The Business.

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David Letterman, seen here snapping a selfie with his replacement Stephen Colbert, will step down next week as host of the Late Show.

Arts

David Letterman's Top 10 Late-Night Memories (Well, Not Really)

5:05pm May 14, 2015

by Eric Deggans

No one has been a late-night TV host longer than David Letterman, who retires Wednesday after 33 years. Here's what he told TV Critic Eric Deggans about leaving the Ed Sullivan Theater one last time.

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Fox Announces 'American Idol' To End After 15 Seasons

8:12am May 12, 2015

Ahead of its fall programming presentation to advertisers, Fox announced Monday that the 15th season of American Idol, which will begin in January 2016, will be the last.

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Ryan Seacrest (from left), Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban

Arts

The End Of 'American Idol'

2:23pm May 11, 2015

by Linda Holmes

Fox announced today that the 15th season of American Idol will be the end of the road for what was once the biggest show on TV.

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Sir David Attenborough at the Beijing Museum of Natural History with fossil of Juramaia, as featured in the Smithsonian Channel series Rise of Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates.

Science

In 'Rise Of Animals,' Sir David Attenborough Tells Story Of Vertebrates

1:23pm May 11, 2015

by NPR Staff

The 89-year-old British naturalist's two-part special explores fossil evidence on how evolution moved past bugs and worms and trilobites, and how the Chinese are helping fill gaps in that knowledge.

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The limited information of upfronts week: This is John Stamos in the new comedy Grandfathered, coming to Fox. In it, he apparently hangs out with this baby!

Arts

What Is Upfronts Week, Anyway?: 5 Questions Answered

11:16am May 11, 2015

by Linda Holmes

We've reached the part of the year where the broadcast networks (and some cable networks) try to woo advertisers with the promise of new shows.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the Netflix series Grace and Frankie.

Arts

'Grace And Frankie' Looks At Life Unexpectedly Alone

9:48am May 09, 2015

by Linda Holmes

The new Netflix series Grace And Frankie casts Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two women whose husbands leave them — for each other.

Kermit the Frog speaks to Gonzo the Great in a scene from ABC's The Muppets.

Arts

ABC Brings Muppets Back To Prime Time As News Emerges About Fall Shows

6:21pm May 08, 2015

by Eric Deggans

TV networks officially reveal fall schedules next week, but word has already spread on some new shows and cancellations. NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans says early trends include more diversity, big names.

Don Draper (Jon Hamm) faces personal and professional upheaval in the final season of Mad Men.

Arts

'Mad Men' Creator On Don Draper's Losses And The End Of The Road

5:08pm May 07, 2015

With just two episodes to go until the AMC series wraps for good, showrunner Matthew Weiner talks about the state of his main character's career and family life — and what the show is all about.

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